Posted: 6/12/23 at 10:19am
dramamama611 said: "This is no slight to Hayes (I've heard he is terrific, but not seen it) but in a category where the only white guy wins the award in an amazing pool of men of color is just cringey and I think it read on the faces of the other nominees. (Yes. in a perfect world this shouldn't matter.) I think Hayes was incredibly humble in his acceptance speech and gave kudos to those men appropriately so."
I didn't even think of the optics of it until I saw him literally the center square between four black men. Unintentional cringe! That said, I know it was a tight race between him and Henderson, and he gave a wonderful speech honoring them.
Speaking of cringe, how unfortunate that the year they go without a script, they have Julianne Hough featured throughout. If it's one thing the Houghs need, is to be tethered to something so they're not drunk with power!
Otherwise, sorry but I really LOVED this scriptless Tonys. I didn't at all miss the bits and the banter that just eat up time. More time for performances and still end on time? Can't ask for more than that!
My biggest gripe was those stupid steps to the stage. What in the ADA-ignorant thought a tiny, rinky-dink staircase and then a step down would be a smart idea? Secondary gripe? Nobody seemed really sure where to look once they got onstage. That said, the rest of the set looked great in there, and accidentally happened to work for a more intimate, scriptless show.
"Hey little girls, look at all the men in shiny shirts and no wives!" - Jackie Hoffman, Xanadu, 19 Feb 2008
